Champions of the Community

Champions of the Community is sponsored by CavFutures Foundation. Empowers UVA Student Athletes to identify, evaluate, and recommend funding for local nonprofit organizations making meaningful impact in the Charlottesville region.

Champions of the Community | CavFutures Foundation Champions of the Community. A Student Athlete-led grantmaking initiative that is the first of its kind. Champions of the Community empowers UVA Student Athletes to identify, evaluate, and recommend funding for local nonprofit organizations making meaningful impact in the Charlottesville region.

Through this program, Student Athletes gain hands-on experience in nonprofit evaluation, community engagement, and philanthropic decision-making while directly supporting organizations aligned with the Foundation's mission of service and leadership.

Read → Review → Recommend Student Athletes review grant applications submitted by Charlottesville-area nonprofits, evaluating organizational capacity, community impact, and alignment with Foundation priorities. The Champions of the Community Program cohort researches organizations, hears from experts on philanthropy and leadership, and deliberates on funding decisions based on strategic impact and measurable outcomes.

Student Athletes present funding recommendations to the Foundation, ensuring grant recipients receive support that creates lasting community impact and measurable results.

Grant Distribution by Sector Charlottesville-area organizations serving critical community needs Direct funding to community programs and services Participating in the Champions of the Community Program Diverse athletic programs engaged in community service “It's transformative for Student Athletes and the community…Athletes get to learn about the local organizations and the impact they can have on our local community.

” “It's so important to give back…if you can be confident in who you are outside of your sport, and be happy with the things you do and the way you spend your time, you'll have much better results on the water, field, or court.

” “Philanthropy should be core to what everybody is as a human being; that's why we created Champions of the Community–the only college program in the country that empowers Student Athletes to allocate money into the communities around them.

” Weinberg Family Foundation Partnership In partnership with the Weinberg Family Foundation, CavFutures Foundation administers a strategic grantmaking program that supports Charlottesville-area nonprofits addressing critical community needs.

This collaboration positions UVA Student Athletes as active participants in community philanthropy, providing them with leadership opportunities while creating measurable impact for local organizations serving education, youth development, social services, and community health initiatives.

Student Athlete led evaluation process Focus on measurable community outcomes Ongoing support and reporting requirements Over 20 Student Athletes participated in the 2026 Champions of the Community Program in partnership with the Weinberg Family Foundation and UVA Student Athlete Success.

This first-of-its-kind experience develops future leaders through financial decision-making that directly funds crucial projects in our local community.

Athlete Cohort Responsibilities • Individually research and review grant applications • Learn from guest speakers and local leaders about grant applications • Small group evaluation and whole group deliberation of budgeting • Present funding recommendations to Foundation committee Benefits for Participants • Develop nonprofit sector knowledge and evaluation skills • Build connections with community organizations • Gain leadership and decision-making experience • Create measurable impact in the local community Applications Open in September Frequently Asked Questions Find answers to the most common questions about the Champions of the Community grant program.

Who is eligible to apply for grants? Charlottesville-area 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on community service, education, youth development, or social services are eligible to apply. What is the grant amount range?

Grant amounts typically range from $5,000 to $25,000 per organization, depending on project scope and demonstrated community impact. What is the review process? Applications are reviewed by a cohort of UVA Student Athletes who evaluate proposals based on community impact and organizational capacity.

Decisions are made in the spring semester. The Student Athlete cohort meets monthly to review submissions and make funding recommendations. Questions About the Program?

For questions about the Champions program, please contact Caroline Darney, Director of Programming and Community Engagement Program Inquiries: info@CavsCare. org Invest in the Future of Virginia Student Athletes Your donation supports community grants that create lasting impact in the Charlottesville region.